Data types

What are data types?

Just like in real life, Python works with different kinds of information. You can’t add someone’s name to their age - they’re different types of data. Python has four main data types you’ll use constantly:

Numbers for counting and calculations
Text for words and messages
True/False for decisions

Each type has its own rules and abilities. Let’s explore them.

The main types

Numbers

Integers and decimals for math

Strings

Text, words, and characters

Booleans

True or False values

Why we need data types

Python needs to know what type of data you’re working with:

# Numbers can do math
total = 10 + 5  # 15

# Strings combine differently  
name = "Hello" + "World"  # "HelloWorld"

# Can't mix without converting
# age = "25" + 5  # Error!
age = int("25") + 5  # 30 (converted string to number)

Checking types

You can always check what type something is with type():

# Check different types
print(type(42))          # <class 'int'>
print(type(3.14))        # <class 'float'>
print(type("Hello"))     # <class 'str'>
print(type(True))        # <class 'bool'>

# Check variables
age = 25
name = "Alice"
print(type(age))         # <class 'int'>
print(type(name))        # <class 'str'>

Start learning

Pick a data type to explore - numbers are a great place to start!

Learn about numbers

Integers and floats

Comments Numbers

⌘I

Getting started

Working with data

Control flow

Data structures

Data types

What are data types?

The main types

Numbers

Strings

Booleans

Why we need data types

Checking types

Start learning

Learn about numbers

​What are data types?

​The main types

Numbers

Strings

Booleans

​Why we need data types

​Checking types

​Start learning

Learn about numbers

What are data types?

The main types

Why we need data types

Checking types

Start learning